Residential Driveway Snow Melting

Our electric driveway snow melting systems provide a permanent solution to the problems caused by cold weather as they are on demand systems (temperature or moisture) that will provide you with improved safety by providing instantaneous relief from snow build up and ice formations. There is no need for costly snow melting chemicals and there are a variety of options for installation.

These are available as either preassembled snow melting mats or bulk cable, which are embedded directly in concrete, asphalt, or in mortar under pavers. A complete snow melting system will typically include snow melting mats or cables, a controller, and may also require additional components like a relay panel, roof or ground sensors, or cable strapping.

With over 35 years of experience we will work with you to ensure that a complete bill of materials is developed to give you the end result that you need. Our residential snow melting systems are engineered and designed for quality, longevity, and reliability. Each application is different, and our custom-tailored solutions are designed to the ASRAE standards based on parameters like heat requirement and snow fall data for local regions such as snowfall days, temperature, surface type, heat loss to ground, atmospheric loss, and perimeter insulations. These systems are custom designed with your specific parameters needed to create a snowmelt solution that exceed expectations. Also, you can find additional information on our low voltage snow melting systems which are better for older homes where the incoming electrical service isn’t big enough to handle the traditional systems.

ASHRAE classifications split snowmelt systems into three groups:

• Class I (snow free ratio 0): Designed not to melt snow while it is falling, but afterwards
• Class II (snow free ratio 0.5): 50% of snow is melted while falling, the rest afterwards
• Class III (snow free ratio 1): All snow and ice is melted while falling

We are always available if you have any questions about what you might need for your project, and to come out to the job site to do a walk through or a takeoff to make sure that all components are specified properly before everyone is on the jobsite.

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Why Install Driveway Electric Snow Melting?

Electric snow melting is the most cost effective, environmentally friendly method of automatic snow removal. Our electric snow melting systems can be installed in any driveway or walkway. The system only operates when required, automatically, thus ensuring an ice and snow free area that is safe and clean. No more salt, sand, snow plows or shovels are required. We will include sensors/settings in our design that can detect when snow is falling and automatically switch on the snow melting system which will extend the life of your driveway. Hydronic systems typically have to idle to keep the fluids up to certain temperature to ensure that they work during snow fall periods, but with electric systems they only turn on when needed and get the surface to temperature very quickly.

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Full Coverage vs. Tire Tracks

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Pre-Assembled Snow Melting Mats

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Bulk Snow Melting Cables

Available in a wide range of voltages - 120, 208, 240, 277, 480, 600.

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Choosing the Right Control

There are a variety of controls available for maintaining the temperature in a driveway heating system.

These systems can include:

• Housed in a weatherproof enclosure
• Senses both moisture and temperatures
• Adjustable temperature trigger point
• Expanded 30-90 min. & 2-6 hour delay off drying time
• Manual override capable
• Selectable low temperature cutoff with unique Recover module
• Super bright front panel power/activation LED indicator
• Remote control and monitor capabilities
• Two-year warranty

The controls range from simple manual devices to more sophisticated sensors that can automatically detect when snow is falling as the sensors can be positioned in the air or in the slab and each controller may handle up to 4 sensors.

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Material Costs

In order to give homeowners an idea of the material costs associated with electric snow melting we have put together the following different scenarios which gives a basic outline of the material costs for these type of projects. While every project is different and our solutions are custom, this will allow customers to determine if this type of solution is in their budget. For a more complete overview of your project please contact us so that we can review your specific needs.

Please note: These costs are for material only, installation can cost anywhere from 50% to 100% of the material cost depending upon many different factors.

Concrete Pad Estimated Cost, 240VAC 6’ x 10’ area, no expansion joint, based on 50W/sq.ft, 7” spacing-MI Cable
MI Cable	$99.00/sq-ft
Controls - 2-circuit GFPE panel and controller	$1,916.00/ckt

Driveway Estimated Cost, 240VAC 10’ x 30’ paved driveway using mats, 50W/sq-ft
Snow Melt Mats	$13.00/sq-ft
Controls - 4-circuit, single moisture/temp sensor	$1,165.00/ckt

Driveway Tire Tracks Only, 240VAC 10’ x 30’ paved driveway, (2) 3’ wide tracks using Mats, 50W/sq-ft
Snow Melt Mats	$14.00/sq-ft
Controls - 2-circuit, single slab moisture/temp sensor	$1,869.00/ckt

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Power Requirements

To melt snow efficiently in a residential application, electric heating cable will need to deliver about 40 to 50 watts of heating power per square foot of slab surface depending upon the material. Homeowners may need to upgrade their circuit panel or install a separate circuit to supply enough power depending on the dimensions of the area to be heated.

The table below is a basic outline of the required amperage needed to operate different sized systems at different voltages for you to review. It is important to keep in mind that most newer homes come with a 200 Amp service installed and many older homes only have 100 Amp services. What this means is that you should contact your electrical contractor to discuss the cost of upgrading your electrical service to be able to effectively manage this increased load, as it can be quite costly.

	Volts - Single Phase
	120 V	208 V	240 V	277 V	480 V
500 sq/ft	208 amps	121 amps	104 amps	90 amps	52 amps
1000 sq/ft	416 amps	242 amps	208 amps	180 amps	104 amps
1500 sq/ft	624 amps	363 amps	312 amps	270 amps	156 amps
2000 sq/ft	832 amps	484 amps	416 amps	360 amps	208 amps